HEALTH

NGOs urged to create health awareness
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 31
Mr Sardara Singh Johal, Chairman, Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture and Restructuring Committee, Punjab, has exhorted voluntary organisations, particularly those engaged in providing health facilities to people to create awareness about general health and preventive measures to keep diseases away, as with the latest improvement in the diagnostic system and induction of costly medical equipment the treatment has gone out of reach of the ordinary people.

Mr Johal was addressing a seminar on ‘General health awareness’, jointly organised by the Educational Trust Beela, the Eye Bank Mansooran and the Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle at Mansooran village here today.

Expressing concern over negligence and carelessness towards general health by people, Mr Johal said the human body was just like a vehicle which required care, but generally people adopted a casual approach towards physical fitness, which could keep a person free from various ailments.

Appreciating the achievements of Mansooran Eye Bank and Hospital under the leadership of Dr Romesh, a renowned eye surgeon, Mr Johal said the institution had successfully created a mass eye donation movement in the entire area and had carried out a large number of eye transplantations.

Mr Johal also expressed concern over the large scale use of intoxicants and drugs among rural youth. He called upon the NGOs to launch a campaign to create awareness among the rural masses against the use of intoxicants and arrange sports tournament and cultural melas, so that the energy of the youth of the state could be diverted towards sports and other activities. Mr Johal also cautioned people against accepting liquor, opium and poppy husk by candidates during the elections. He said the government was making efforts for the diversification of the present pattern of agriculture with a view to provide gainful employment to the youth.

Dr Romesh, while addressing the function, said there were a large number of unfortunate people who were unable to see the world due to blindness, but could be given a new lease of life with eye transplantation.

He said with continuous efforts by the volunteers of the Mansooran Eye Bank, he had succeeded in executing more than 400 eye transplantations, free of cost, at this rural centre which was the highest number by any single centre in the state.

Prof Ram Singh, administrator, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle and Prof Sarbjeet Singh, while addressing called upon people to participate in the anti-drug drive so that the rural youth could be saved form the menace of intoxicants.

On this occasion a play on eye donation by the staff of Mansooran Eye Bank was presented.

Symposium on diarrhoea held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 31
The local branch of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) organised a CME on diarrhoea, here yesterday. The CME was attended by over 45 paediatricians from the district.

Dr S.S. Bedi, president, IAP, Ludhiana, said diarrhoea was chosen as the topic for the symposium as it was still the most common disease among infants and children during summers. “After the rainy season, diarrhoea almost takes an epidemic form, resulting in deaths and financial loss to the lower socio-economic group of society,” said Dr Bedi.

Dr B.R.Thapa, a paediatric gastro-enterologist from the PGI, Chandigarh, spoke on recurrent diarrhoea, its causes and management. He stressed upon the need for hygiene, better sanitation, good eating habits and clean drinking water to prevent the disease. He said breast feeding was the natural defence against infections in infants and breast- fed babies were less likely to get diarrhoea.

Dr Daljit Singh, Professor and Head of Paediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, spoke on acute phase of the disease, resulting in dehydration.

He said the ORS had revolutionised the treatment of the disease and most of the patients with mild to moderate dehydration could be managed at home with the ORS, cutting down costs and the problems of hospitalisation.

He said, “There is no need to go in for fancy looking and flavoured ORS, marketed by pharmaceutical companies. Home-made ORS (sugar, salt, and lemon juice mixed in water) is as good as commercial ORS.”

Rice water and salt, salted lassi and coconut water are other good ORS solutions. Cold drinks, glucose water and fruit juices are not ORS and should not be used. Antibiotics, anti-diarrhoeal anti-motility drugs should be avoided, added Dr Daljit Singh.

Dr R.S.Sibia, general secretary, IAP, conducted the stage and Dr Harinder Singh, joint secretary, IAP, thanked the delegates and the speakers. Dr Surinder Likhi and Dr A.S.Chawla honoured the speakers.

Cricket lovers get prizes

Ludhiana, March 31
A “Cricket World Cup Promotion” programme was organised at Champs, a sports bar and tea lounge at Majestic Park Plaza. The participants had been asked to give their choice for the man of the match, the winning team, highest scorer, etc during the World Cup each time they visited the outlet.

The bumper prize of a 29” LG colour television was bagged by Mr Rohan Bhogal for guessing the highest wicket-taker. Four consolation prizes of Spice cash cards were given to Ms Honey Sood, Mr Harbhajan Grewal, Mr Vishan and Mr Ashok Sood. OC